Can LA reunite Luka Doncic with former Mavericks teammate?

The Los Angeles Lakers could ask to be reunited Luka Dončić with one of his exes Dallas Mavericks teammates before the trade deadline. According to ClutchPoints NBA Insider Brett Siegel, center Daniel Gafford — a key contributor to the Mavericks’ 2024 NBA Finals run — is drew interest from the Lakers as a potential midseason trade target.

In Siegel’s report released Friday, he stated that Dallas is off to a disappointing 2-6 start to the 2025-26 campaign has led to speculation about whether general manager Nico Harrison and the Mavericks front office could explore selective trade options if their struggles continue.

“A 2-6 start to the season has many around the league wondering if Nico Harrison and the Dallas Mavericks will be selective sellers before the February trade deadline if their struggles continue,” Siegel wrote. “While the Mavs rank as a top-five defensive team, they are 30th in offensive rating this season. Defense wins championships, but you won’t win any games if you can’t score!”

Siegel added that the Mavericks are expected to evaluate their roster before the trade deadline and could evaluate the market for veteran guard Klay Thompson as well as center Daniel Gafford, who has become a household name around the league.

“It’s no secret that Harrison and the Mavericks front office will explore what kind of return there is for Klay Thompson before the trade deadline, and several teams are monitoring Daniel Gafford’s status, sources said,” Siegel said. “The 27-year-old center recently signed a three-year, $60 million deal this offseason, but remains trade-eligible this offseason.”

Lakers could reunite Luka Doncic with former Mavericks teammate Daniel Gafford

Right now, the Mavericks aren’t in “panic mode,” according to Siegel, and aren’t active shopping players yet. However, multiple teams, including the Lakers, are closely monitoring Gafford’s situation.

“Coincidentally, one of the teams with a lot of interest in Gafford since last season is the Los Angeles Lakers, sources say. Could we see Luka Doncic and Gafford reunite in Los Angeles in February?” Siegel wrote.

Gafford, who played an instrumental role alongside Doncic during Dallas’ Finals run last season, has appeared in three games so far this year after missing time to start the campaign. The 27-year-old averaged 12 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 75% from the field in 22.3 minutes. In his last outing, he had 15 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and two steals on 6-for-8 shooting in 25 minutes.

As of now, Gafford remains in Dallas, who will face the Memphis Grizzlies (3-6) on Friday night before completing a doubleheader against the Washington Wizards (1-7) on Saturday.

The The Lakers, meanwhile, continue to grow at 7-2 behind Doncic’s MVP caliber early game. Los Angeles will visit the Atlanta Hawks (4-4) on Saturday at 8 PM ET on NBA TV to open a five-game road trip. If trade talks intensify ahead of February, the Lakers could emerge as a serious suitor for Gafford — potentially reuniting the two former Mavericks and further bolstering the team’s frontcourt rotation.